All Politics is Still Local

SOURCE: nationalatlas.gov

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

All Politics is Still Local

The State of Kentucky The Candidates The Campaign The Results

SOURCE: www.nationalatlas.gov

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The State of Kentucky

Race/Ethnicity 89.2% White 7.6% Black 1.0% Asian 2.1% Hispanic

Occupation 34.8% White Collar

65.2% Blue Collar

Median Income $40.1k

Partisanship 57% Republican 36% Democrats

‘04 Presidential Vote

Bush +20%

SOURCE: www.nationalatlas.gov

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Candidates: Incumbent Mitch McConnell

Occupation Attorney

Political Experience

Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Ford Administration

County Judge (chief executive), Jefferson County, Kentucky

First Elected

1985

Committees

Agriculture Appropriations Rules Intelligence

Military Service

US Army, 1967

SOURCE: mcconnell.senate.gov

Table 1 Congressional Vote Scores for Mitch McConnell, 1993-2008

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Candidates: Challenger Bruce Lunsford

Occupation Attorney CEO and Chairman, Vencor

Political Experience

Treasurer, Kentucky Democratic Party, 1979

Candidate for Democratic Nomination for Governor, Kentucky, 2003, 2007

SOURCE: www.myspace.com/brucelunsford

Table 2. Campaign Finance Election Outcomes for Senator Mitch McConnell, 1984-2008

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: The Polls

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Fans”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Governors”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “Bruce Lunsford’ s Company”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: McConnell’s Iraq War Stance

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Campaign: “How It Works”

NOTE: Internet access required.

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

Table 3. Kentucky Election Results by Geographic Area, 2008

Cases in Congressional Campaigns: Incumbents Playing Defense

The Results